Quiz: Howstuffworks

The A to Z Snake Quiz

Jacqueline Samaroo

Image: CC0 License By Pixels

About This Quiz

Ready to slither into some fun? These beautifully colored snakes will definitely make your day!

The history of almost every civilization reveals that humans have long been enthralled by snakes. Various species of these slithering serpents have been worshipped, vilified, loved and feared throughout the ages.

Some species of snake grow to be incredibly huge, while others are small enough to be compared with and even named after worms! Size matters in the world of snakes; are you a big enough snake lover to identify some of the largest and smallest among them? If you can, it is certainly a feat deserving of wild celebration. So get the party going—take the quiz!

Antarctica is the only continent where you won't find snakes. They are widely distributed over the rest of the world and can be found in locations ranging from rainforests and deserts to rivers and seas. You will even find them on mountaintops exceeding 15,000 feet! Check out the quiz, and you might find a snake from your area lurking there!

If you are fascinated by snakes, then this is the perfect quiz for you! If, however, they really creep you out, we promise this quiz won't bite! Start the quiz now!

James Gerholdt/Stockbyte/Getty Images

Can you identify this huge South American constrictor which can grow up to 30 feet long?

African puff adder

Anaconda

Asian keelback

Angolan python

Anacondas are among the longest and heaviest snakes in the world! They are mostly found in aquatic environments, earning them the nickname "water boa." Spotting an anaconda in the water can be difficult, however, as they like to remain submerged with just their nostrils sticking out!

Paul Osborne/Moment/Getty Images

This snake's name tells you it can be found in the southwestern United States. Do you recognize it?

Arizona black rattlesnake

Arafura file snake

Andaman cat snake

Australian copperhead

The Arizona black rattlesnake is named for the predominantly dark (gray, brown and olive) color of the adults, since young members of the species are much lighter. One handy trick this snake has up its sleeve is the chameleon-like ability to change color relatively quickly!

Howard Pugh (Marais)/Moment Open/Getty Images

Can you name this snake which is named for a dark lining inside its mouth?

Banded flying snake

Blond hognose snake

Ball python

Black mamba

Black mambas are native to the eastern regions of African and, at up to 14 feet, they hold the distinction of being that continent's longest venomous snake. They also have the killer combination of being very aggressive when threatened and being one of the world's most lethal snakes!

Hillary Kladke/Moment/Getty Images

Do you recognize this snake which squeezes its prey to death before swallowing it whole?

Bamboo pit viper

Brown tree snake

Boa constrictor

Blue krait

Boa constrictors can swim very well, just like their much larger relative, the anaconda. Unlike the anaconda, however, boas prefer to live on dry land. They wrap their muscular bodies around prey to suffocate it, then swallow it whole, taking as much as six days to digest large animals!

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A bite from this "ruler" of the Central and South American forests is usually lethal! Can you name this snake?

Bushmaster

Brazilian smooth snake

Beaked sea snake

Buttermilk racer

There is no doubt that bushmasters are extremely dangerous. They have long fangs, can bite repeatedly, and produce large amounts of very toxic venom. Furthermore, since the bushmaster is an ambush predator, prey very likely never see it coming!

DSP/Photodisc/Getty Images

Despite its name, this snake can also be found in Utah, Arizona, Nevada and Oregon. Can you identify it from the picture?

Calabar python

California kingsnake

Common tiger snake

Coastal taipan

There is a very good reason for the "king" in this snake's name. The California kingsnake is well-known to prey on other snakes, including venomous rattlesnakes which it will gobble up before they are completely dead! Luckily, the California kingsnake is relatively immune to the rattlesnake's venom!

Joao Paulo Burini/Moment/Getty Images

Do you recognize this popular pet snake which is named after a cereal grain?

Corn snake

Congo snake

Crowned snake

Cuban wood snake

The corn snake is a type of rat snake, feeding mostly on rodents and birds. The slender corn snake is brilliantly colored, nonvenomous and can grow up to 6 feet long. Add the fact that they don't mind too much being handled, and it's easy to see why the corn snake is such a popular choice of pet!

Rex Lisman/Moment/Getty Images

Do you know the soft-sounding name for this snake, which also goes by "water moccasin" and "gaper"?

Common cobra

Coachwhip snake

Chinese tree viper

Cottonmouth

The cottonmouth, or water moccasin, holds the distinction of being the world's only semiaquatic pit viper—all other vipers either live on land (terrestrial) or in trees (arboreal). The cottonmouth is also the only venomous water snake on the entire North American continent!

Steve Tuckey By Youtube

This shy snake from Western Australia likes feeding on house mice. Do you know its name?

Dugite

Down's tiger snake

Dwarf sand snake

Dog-toothed cat snake

Also known as the spotted brown snake, the dugite makes its home in and around urban and semirural areas in Western Australia. Although it is shy, the Dugite stays close to these inhabited areas since that is where it will find its favorite prey to feed on—house mice!

R. Andrew Odum/photodisc/Getty Images

What is the name of this small, stout pit viper whose bite won't kill you, but might cause you to lose a finger or a toe?

Dusky pygmy rattlesnake

Diamond python

Death adder

Desert kingsnake

The dusky pygmy rattlesnake can be found in southeastern regions of the United States. It is a venomous snake with a painful but not fatal bite. What makes the dusky pygmy rattlesnake more dangerous is that it is often confused with the similar-looking, harmless hognose snakes of the area.

seng chye teo/Moment/Getty Images

Thanks to its color, this snake shares its name with a bright green, precious gem. Do you know what it is?

Egyptian asp

Eastern racer

Egg-eater

Emerald tree boa

This nocturnal ambush predator lives in the South American rainforests where it feeds on lizards and small mammals. As the name hints, the emerald tree boa is very good at blending in with the foliage in which it lives. Its camouflage helps this boa to hide from its only known predator, the Guianan crested eagle.

SystemaNaturae By Youtube

The snake shown here makes its home in France, Switzerland, Spain and Italy. Can you say what its name is?

Eastern diamondback rattlesnake

European asp

Eastern brown snake

Egyptian cobra

Although the European asp can grow to lengths of up to 2 feet, they are often much smaller than this. It is native to the southwestern region of Europe and can live in a wide variety of the habitats found there. That includes in the Swiss Alps at altitudes of over 8,500 feet!

Brave Wilderness By Youtube

This venomous relative of the bushmaster is named for an interesting facial feature. Do you recognize it?

Equatorial spitting cobra

Eastern coral snake

Eyelash viper

European smooth snake

The small and chunky eyelash viper is native to the forests of South and Central America. Its most distinguishing features are its "eyelashes" which are actually enlarged scales above each of its eyes. They act as camouflage, helping the snake's head to better blend in with the foliage around it.

Kamp Kenan Army By Youtube

Also known as the inland taipan, this is one of the most venomous snakes in the world! Do you dare name it?

Fox snake

Fea's viper

False water cobra

Fierce snake

Luckily, the fierce snake is not as dangerous as it is venomous. Although it is considered by some sources to be the most venomous snake on Earth, the fierce snake rarely gets a chance to prove it since it lives in isolated, semiarid areas of Australia.

viperkeeper By Youtube

Can you identify this broad-headed African snake which is said to be the largest of its kind?

Forest cobra

Fifty-pacer viper

Forsten's cat snake

False coral snake

The forest cobra lives in various habitats in central and western Africa but is most often found in bushy or wooded areas along the coast. As if the mere sight of this snake wasn't intimidating enough, it can make its already broad head even broader so as to ward off trouble!

Clint's Reptiles By Youtube

This nonvenomous snake is named for an article of clothing and is Massachusetts' state reptile. Do you know it?

Gopher snake

Garter snake

Grand Canyon rattlesnake

Gray cat snake

The garter snake lives in habitats throughout most of North and Central America. It is rather common, often representing the highest population of snakes within any area where it is found. In fact, no other North American Snake is as widely distributed across the continent as the garter snake!

KRGV By Youtube

Do you know the name of this shiny snake which goes by the official name Arizona elegans?

Ground snake

Green tree python

Great Plains rat snake

Glossy snake

Glossy snakes are native to the southwestern United States where they hunt mostly small lizards by night. These nonvenomous snakes vary in color according to the particular habitat in which they live. In some areas, the glossy snake is known as the faded snake.

British Herpetology By Youtube

Do you recognize this nonvenomous snake which can be found in sections of Europe and Asia?

Grass snake

Green anaconda

Golden tree snake

Gray-banded kingsnake

One way to identify the grass snake is by the distinctive yellow band behind its head. Its coloring allows it to blend in well with its surroundings, but if it is frightened or disturbed, you will definitely know it's there. It releases foul-smelling fluid from its anal glands as a means of defense!

VID NOW By Youtube

You can tell by its name that this snake calls the mountains of South Asia home. Can you identify it?

Himalayan keelback

Harlequin coral snake

Hognose snake

Hime habu

The Himalayan keelback measures roughly 3 feet when fully grown and has a relatively long tail. It is also called the spotted keelback and the Himalayan mountain keelback. It can live at elevations of nearly 12,000 feet!

World's Greatest Animals By Youtube

This snake from southwest Africa gets its name from the projections on its head. Do you know what it is called?

Horseshoe pit viper

Hook-nosed sea snake

Herald snake

Horned puff adder

A prominent horn-like scale behind each of its eyes gives this snake the appearance of having horns. The horned puff adder is a type of viper. Its venom is not considered to be very dangerous but will cause anyone who is bitten to suffer a great deal of pain!

Wild Snakes By Youtube

Can you identify this snake even though not all of the species are blue-black in color as their name suggests?

Indian tree viper

Inland taipan

Ikaheka snake

Indigo snake

The indigo snake's range runs from the southwestern US through to South America. This large snake hunts for prey during the daytime and will often feed on birds, small mammals and amphibians. The indigo snake will also hunt lizards and other reptiles, even rattlesnakes!

JCO2002 By Youtube

This West Indian snake is sometimes called the yellow snake, but do you know its other name?

Jumping pit viper

Javan spitting cobra

Japanese striped snake

Jamaican boa

The Jamaican boa or yellow snake is a constrictor and relies on its strong muscles to squeeze and suffocate prey (mostly rats). It once thrived across the island but is now mainly located in the interior region known as the Cockpit Country.

Chandler's Wild Life By Youtube

This snake's name is a hint that it holds the title of largest venomous snake in the world! Do you know what it is?

Krait

King cobra

Kukri snake

Khasi Hills keelback

India and Southeast Asia are home to the king cobra. Although most king cobras get to around 12 feet in length, there is at least one specimen which was confirmed to be 18 feet! This fearsome snake also goes by the name "hamadryad" which has the seemingly innocent meaning of "wood nymph."

SozoAquatics By Youtube

This brightly colored snake is also called the parrot snake, but do you know its much simpler name?

Lyre snake

Longnosed worm snake

Lancehead

Lora

The lora is found in the countries of Central and South America, including the West Indian island-country of Trinidad and Tobago. This mildly venomous snake is arboreal (lives in trees) and likes to hunt in the daytime. It feeds primarily on birds, lizards and frogs.

Ryan M. Bolton By Youtube

Can you name the stout-bodied snake shown here whose range extends from Ontario, Canada southward to Mexico?

Massasauga rattlesnake

McMahon's viper

Mojave Desert sidewinder

Milk snake

The Massasauga rattlesnake is a pit viper, and as such, it is both venomous and heat-seeking. Like all pit vipers, this snake has special heat sensors on the sides of its head which help it to accurately locate prey. It feeds mainly on small mammals and lizards but will also hunt and eat other snakes.

petreleslie By Youtube

Do you know the name of this long and slender snake which also goes by the name "horsewhip" in some regions?

Mountain adder

Madagascar tree boa

Mexican vine snake

Modest keelback

The Mexican vine snake earns its name by growing to over 6 feet long and having a very slender body. It perfects its vine-imitating disguise with its usually gray or brown coloring. The Mexican vine snake is considered to be only mildly venomous.

DiscoveryChannelInd By Youtube

Do you recognize this primarily nocturnal snake whose range stretches from Canada to Mexico?

Nubian spitting cobra

Northeastern hill krait

Northern tree snake

Night snake

The night snake can be found in dry, hot habitats such as deserts, grasslands and thorn forests. This relatively small snake looks somewhat like a viper and uses that fact to its advantage. When threatened, the snake will flatten its head, curl into a coil, and shake its tail just like a rattlesnake!

Virginia Tech By Youtube

Although it is actually only gliding, the sight of this snake sailing through the air is still captivating! Can you name it?

Okinawan Habu

Orange-collared keelback

Ornate flying snake

Olive sea snake

The ornate flying snake can cover over 300 feet as it glides from tree to tree or from tree to the ground. It has the special ability of flattening and curving its entire body so as to imitate a parachute as it falls. It also wiggles its body as it is flying, sort of like swimming in midair!

Brian Skalsky By Youtube

Can you name this snake from Mexico's western coast which has a prominent scale on its snout?

Pacific patchnose snake

Puerto Rican boa

Philippine cobra

Parrot snake

There are several types of patchnose snakes which can be found in regions of the western US and Mexico. This nonvenomous group is named for the thick curved scale which is clearly visible at the tip of the snake's snout.

drthik1 By Youtube

Do you recognize this large snake which is considered to be the longest snake in the world?

Rosy boa

Reticulated python

Rhombic night adder

Rough green snake

The reticulated python is a nonvenomous, powerful constrictor found in areas of South and Southeast Asia. Its most distinguishing feature is its bright net-like pattern outlined in black. It relies on this coloration to help it blend in with its surroundings in its native habitats.

Wild Snakes By Youtube

Can you identify this type of garter snake which shares its name with a hair accessory?

Red-bellied black snake

Rainbow boa

Rat snake

Ribbon snake

The ribbon snake is a small and slender type of garter snake. Like other garter snakes, it has three colored lines running down its body—one on either side and a third one right down the center of its back. Its stripes, however, are much more pronounced than those of other garter snakes.

Dingo Dinkelman By Youtube

This snake from southern Africa is well known for its ability to spit venom at its prey. Do you recognize it?

Rungwe tree viper

River jack

Red diamond rattlesnake

Ringhals cobra

The ringhals cobra can accurately spit its venom into the eyes of an animal over 8 feet away! The venom has no effect if it lands on intact skin but can cause temporary blindness when it enters the prey's eyes. As a defense mechanism, the ringhals like to fool predators by playing dead.

R. Andrew Odum/Photodisc/Getty Images

The name of this nonvenomous snake pays homage to its bright red color. Can you figure out what it is?

Smooth green snake

Small-eyed snake

Scarlet king snake

Sand adder

The nonvenomous scarlet king snake has a similar coloration to the venomous coral snake and is often mistaken for it. The difference lies in the arrangement of their red, yellow and black bands. You can tell the two apart with the help of the popular saying, "Red on yellow kills a fellow. Red on black, venom lack"!

DAVIDSFEED By Youtube

Do you recognize this Central African snake which is named for the spiky scales along its sides and back?

Sri Lanka cat snake

San Francisco garter snake

Spiny bush viper

Southern hognose snake

The spiny bush viper is a relatively small venomous snake with a distinctly prickly appearance. While "spiny" might be the most appropriate name for this snake, it also goes by "rough-scaled bush viper" and "African hairy bush viper."

James Gerholdt/Stockbyte/Getty Images

Leopards have spots but this snake is named for its resemblance to the feline with stripes! Do you know what it is called?

Tiger rattlesnake

Tic polonga

Trinket snake

Twig snake

The tiger rattlesnake is a terrestrial (land-dwelling), generally nocturnal snake. Its very toxic venom is effective on its prey which regularly consists of rodents and other small mammals. The tiger rattlesnake should not be confused with the similarly colored tiger snake of the cobra family.

ita video By Youtube

Do you recognize this terrestrial South American snake which is sometimes called the wutu snake?

Ursini's viper

Undulated pit viper

Urutu

Uracoan rattlesnake

The urutu lives in the forested areas of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. It is a large pit viper which can reach close to 7 feet long when fully grown. Although a bite from the urutu is not normally fatal, the snake is still considered to be very dangerous.

robbiefishing By Youtube

Despite its name, this snake from the cobra family is actually found across much of Australia. Do you recognize it?

White-lipped python

Wynaad keelback

Western brown snake

Wutu

Also known as the gwardar, the western brown snake is quick, venomous and aggressive when threatened. It typically feeds on small mammals and reptiles, such as rats and lizards but will also eat other snakes.

Animals Wikipedia By Youtube

Can you name this snake which is widely distributed in tropical ocean waters?

Yellow-lined palm viper

Yellow-bellied sea snake

Yellow-striped rat snake

Yellow cobra

The yellow-bellied sea snake can be found in most of the oceans of the tropics, especially the Pacific Ocean. It has, however, only been very rarely seen in the Atlantic Ocean. While it is extremely venomous, a bite from this snake is not usually fatal.

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